Sheppie divers find missing Midmar swimmer

THE body of missing Midmar Mile swimmer Herman ‘Thabo’ van Straten (43) was recovered by a team of divers from Port Shepstone yesterday (Thursday). Police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid, said Warrant Officers Marc Wiid and Gawie Nel from Port Shepstone Search and Rescue found Mr van Straten’s body.

According to the Mecury newspaper, the body surfaced at about 4.20pm following a six-day search for the Joburg business executive. “He was found about 800m from the start of the 1 600m race,” said police spokesman Captain Loolly Moodley. In 2011, Nick Mellet went missing during the same race. His body was found four days later.